Inoue’s Jab and Footwork Left Akhmadaliev Chasing in Nagoya
Naoya Inoue defeated Murodjon Akhmadaliev by unanimous decision on September 14, 2025, at IG Arena in Nagoya, Japan. The twelve-round super bantamweight title fight ended with scores of 118–110, 118–110 and 117–111 as Inoue retained his undisputed championship.
Accurate straight punches controlled the early distance
Inoue used his jab and straight right hands to attack both the head and body. The varied targets prevented Akhmadaliev from settling into a consistent defensive rhythm during the first half.
The champion also took the center and moved his head from side to side before landing counters. His left hook became another effective answer when the challenger tried to close distance.
The middle rounds built an unambiguous lead
The WBA’s scoring analysis shows that all three judges awarded Inoue rounds two and three, then rounds five through nine. Those shared assessments created a substantial foundation for the final decision.
Inoue continued combining accuracy with movement as Akhmadaliev’s face showed the effects of the punching. A late right hook from the challenger gained his attention, but did not change the outcome.
The defense demonstrated another route beyond a knockout
Inoue improved to thirty-one wins without defeat and completed his fifth defense of the undisputed crown he had won in December 2023. His world-title-fight record reached twenty-six victories.
Akhmadaliev finished the distance but could not make the contest consistently competitive. Inoue’s technical control, rather than a stoppage, supplied the decisive performance and preserved all four major championships at 122 pounds.
Sources
- Top Rank: venue, tactics, fifth defense and record
- WBA: agreed winning rounds
- WBA: official scores and September 14 result
